Just Plane Fun!

Back when we shared about the airplane incident, a friend encouraged us saying, “Remember, God owns the airplanes in a thousand hangars!” We’ve wondered many times why God is choosing to build a plane instead of finding one that’s ready to fly. And why that process takes so long. Yet, God impresses on our hearts, “It’s about people. The airplane is simply a means to reach people.” As we pray for opportunities to do just that, God sends PEOPLE! Imagine that! And we get to experience the fun of being channels of blessings in the States, just like God wants most of you who are reading this to be. The last few of you He needs as channels overseas ;).

God has moved many people to share their time and resources to rebuild the missionary airplane. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Here are a few of those blessings…

• A handful of volunteers who have dedicated COUNTLESS hours to hands-on building
• Rear Struts donated
• Seats donated
• Seat Upholstery donated
• Horizontal Stabilizer donated
• Wing Tip Extenders donated
• Parking brakes donated
• Wings partially donated (this particular wing “kit” was back-ordered nearly two years and a donor offered his already built-up wings at 2/3 the current kit price!)
• Volunteers picked up the wings in Washington state and drove them to Georgia at their own expense
• Orders made for the fuselage, elevators, and several smaller items JUST before the price went up significantly
• Countless people who have taken time out of their day to help us out, reply to emails and show DJ first-hand how things are done on a rebuild project
• People who have lent us a place to stay, a hangar to work in, and tools to borrow
• Financial donations that have covered all the needed expenses along the way (It’s so fun to watch how God answers our prayers when the funds are low and sends another donation or three to cover just what is needed!)

God continues to push His work forward on the mission plane. Recently DJ reached several dead-ends getting the fuselage sandblasted and painted. We needed it done as soon as possible and after praying about it, God answered through a newly opened blasting operation right next door to the volunteer painter’s shop. This allowed for quick and easy transport and immediate painting. It’s been one thing like that after another.
 
We prayerfully extended our stay in the States through the end of December, hoping to get as far as we can on the plane before shipping it south. It is SO much faster to build the plane here than in Bolivia! Thanks again for all your support!

Jodi & family